A Longing for Authority

Can the political victories of leaders like Trump, Putin, or Erdogan, be explained by a desire for strong leadership? Do people long for authority? Why do they submit to authority in society, the family, and on the job? This documentary looks at companies that have different interpretations of authority and looks at what types of hierarchy are best suited to which businesses?

Psychologist Paul Verhaeghe says, "Authority means voluntary obedience. People comply with rules without being compelled to do it." This obedience is based on a balance that is continually being negotiated between the person who possesses authority and the individual who submits to it. For some, authority comes from their position, for others, their influence is derived from their personality or reputation. What is it like at work, in the business world? This documentary looks at companies that interpret authority differently. Which types of hierarchies are best suited to which businesses? Can companies where a strong leadership sets the course be innovative? Or are workers more satisfied when they have a say in how and when they work, even though it requires more participation? To get some idea about whether most of us desire more authority, or reject it, the documentary draws on recent experiments in social sciences similar to the controversial Milgram experiment where scientists investigated one individual's readiness to torture another. Ultimately, the filmmakers ask whether a new definition of authority is possible without reverting to patriarchal structures?